Football match is called off just hours before kick-off as stormy weather causes chaos across Britain

Wigan’s League One clash against Huddersfield on New Year’s Day has been postponed due to flooding. 

In a statement released four hours before the 3pm kick-off, the Latics informed fans to avoid making journeys to the ground after heavy wind and rain battered the Brick Community Stadium on Tuesday. 

Despite the playing surface being fine to host the fixture, the decision has been taken to call off the match amid stormy weather chaos across the country. 

On Tuesday, Met Office chiefs warned that more than five inches of rain could fall by the end of New Year’s Eve and heavy snow could hit the north of the country, where a ‘risk to life’ amber weather warning was issued. 

‘Our New Year’s Day clash against Huddersfield Town has been postponed due to severe localised flooding,’ the club statement began. ‘Heavy rainfall over Tuesday night has made roads treacherous in the area, although the playing surface at the Brick Community Stadium was deemed playable. 

‘However, safety concerns regarding the public areas surrounding the ground and the strain on local emergency services dealing with a number of major incidents, which have been affected by severe flooding, led to the league fixture being called off.

The Latics were hoping to return to winning ways after a run of three matches without a win in the league

Shaun Maloney’s side currently sit 16th in the third tier with 27 points from their first 22 matches

‘Access to the area is severely restricted with many access routes closed due to flooding, and the emergency services are unable to provide resources to support the matchday operation. 

‘The news is naturally disappointing as Shaun Maloney and his players were looking forward to the highly-anticipated New Year’s Day fixture, but the safety of both sets of supporters is of paramount importance.

‘An update on the fixture rearrangement will be announced in due course. All tickets from the New Year’s Day clash will remain valid for the rearranged game.’

The adverse weather in the UK led to the cancellation of outdoor events at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, including the street party and concert in Princes Street Gardens – due to be headlined by Scottish band Texas- and the midnight fireworks.

Large parts of the country were told to brace for flooding as rising water levels are poised to threaten lives and property.

Almost every part of the UK is covered by at least one of the multiple Met Office weather warnings between Monday and Wednesday.

A yellow weather warning of heavy rain and snow has been in force across most of Scotland for Monday and Tuesday, while an amber warning for rain is in place for an area around Inverness on Tuesday.

Stormy conditions are expected to spread to the rest of the UK, with yellow warnings for wind and rain in place for parts of England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Weather warnings continue to be in place across the north parts of England and Scotland

Waves crashing into the shore in high winds on Cleveleys Beach near Blackpool on New Year’s Eve

Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said: ‘It will be a tricky couple of days and a wet and windy spell for many up into the new year.

‘We’re encouraging anyone who is planning to travel to keep up to date with the weather forecast and news from their local authorities.’

The new year will be off to a turbulent start with separate weather warnings in place for wind and rain on January 1.

Winds of up to 60mph are forecast across much of England and Wales all day on Wednesday, with gusts of 75mph likely around coastal areas and hills, according to the Met Office.